A lorry driver, Ivan Zhyhan, has been sentenced to two years and four months in jail after causing a three-vehicle crash on the M11 that resulted in life-changing injuries. The incident occurred on February 13, 2019, between junctions eight and seven on the southbound carriageway near Harlow, Essex.
The court heard that Zhyhan, who was driving an articulated lorry, was struggling to stay awake at the wheel when he crashed into a stationary Renault Kangoo van, which then collided with another lorry. The crash caused severe injuries to the driver of the Kangoo, including bone fractures, a bleed on the brain, and fractures to his neck, ribs, vertebrae, and shoulder.
At the time of the crash, there were matrix warning signals indicating a lane closure ahead, resulting in queuing traffic. Despite the hazard lights of the van being illuminated and other vehicles travelling slowly, Zhyhan claimed that he did not see the van until he was just 20 meters away from it. Dashcam footage from within the lorry’s cab captured Zhyhan’s attempt to keep himself awake before the collision.
Following a seven-day trial, Zhyhan was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to two years and four months in jail, and his driving license was disqualified for three years. The judge also extended the disqualification period until Zhyhan passes a driving test again.
The victim of the crash suffered life-threatening injuries and had to be hospitalised for a month. The injuries included two skull fractures, a brain bleed, and multiple fractures to his neck, ribs, vertebrae, and shoulder. PC Alan Marks, the investigating officer, praised the victim for his support during the investigation and emphasized that the collision could have been prevented if Zhyhan had stopped to rest when feeling tired.
